The political status of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has been strengthened by a move from the ruling Congress Party to re-affirm its faith in her. Mrs. Gandhi was last week convicted on electoral malpractice and barrel form holding public office for six years by a High Court. She was, however, given twenty days to appeal. Her lawyers have already started court proceedings to have her conviction overturned. They were to ask a Supreme Court judge to set aside Monday to hear her case.

As her legal fight to stay in office continues, her party is rallying support for her to stay in power. And -- on Wednesday -- the ruling Congress Party met and voted a resolution re-affirming their faith in her.

About four-hundred-and-fifty Congress parliamentarians heard a speech by the Congress President Mr. Asoka Mehta. Mr. Jagjivan Ram -- who is now being considered as a possible successor to Mrs. Gandhi--was also present along with Mr. Gulzarilal Nanda, who has twice acted as a stand-in Prime Minister.

Mr. Raj Narian--leader of the opposition Indian People's Party -- has asked the Allahabad court to end the twenty-day order because of alleged misrepresentation.

The Party's members of Parliament gave her a huge vote of confidence in her fight to stay in office after being convicted on political corruption charges.

As Party President Dev Kanta Barooah declared"Indira is India and India is Indira" about 450 Congress parliamentarians thundered their agreement.

They approved without dissent a resolution saying: "This meeting re-iterates its fullest faith and confidence in her and firmly believes that her continued leadership as Prime Minister is indispensable for the nation".

Leaders of the opposition, on the other hand, are still pressing for ??? removal from office.

Meanwhile, lawyers for the Indian Prime Minister have initiated the move for a court battle to have her conviction for electoral malpractice overturned. They were to ask a Supreme Court judge to set aside next Monday to hear detailed arguments for an absolute stay of last week's Allahabad High Court verdict convicting her and barring her from holding public office for six years.